A public records request with a couple questions about untested rape kits hit a nerve with some local and state officials, who started making changes even before the USA TODAY Media Network published its investigation.

The State Crime Lab has been swamped with rape kits awaiting DNA analysis since March, accelerating in June when police agencies around the state responded to criticism that old evidence wasn't being tested.

Australia's law enforcement information-sharing agency CrimTrac will soon switch on a new system that will for the first time allow police to compare human remains to long-time missing persons cases across state and territory borders.

If you are locked up for a criminal matter, chances are that DNA material taken from you will be retained in the Government's database, even if you have been found not guilty or if there is no prosecution of the case.